Delivery apparatus



Aug. 4, 1942. T. E. PIAZZE DELIVERY APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1941 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Aug. 4, 1942. 1'. E. PIAZZE DELIVERY APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1941 s sheets-sheet :s

INVENTOR filomstipmzr UMc'M- ZL ATTORNEY Aug. 4, 1942. 'r. E. PIAZZE DELIVERY APPARATUS Filed May 5, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 was 5 1 /4225 BY I ATTORNEY m T N E V m but separated along a line character could only handle from Patented Aug. 4, 1942 fUNlTE-D SIT-ATE DELIVERY APPARATUS.

Thomas E. Piazza, Lyndliurst, N. J., asslgnor, by mesne assignments, to Interchemical Corporation, New York, -N. Y., a corporationoi Ohio Application May 5, 1941, Serial No. 391,852

. 32 Claims. This invention relates to delivery apparatus and "aims to provide an improved apparatusfor continuously separating sheets or blanks irom a traveling web and delivering them in vertically arranged piles. 'More particularly, the'invention contemplates the provision of suchan apparatus which is adapted'to handle multiple blanks con- 4 sisting of two. or more blanks weakly held together along their adjoining side edges by means of tabs across the web. v

Recently apparatus has been developed for continuously producing carton blanks.-at speeds heretofore unattainable; from a traveling web of paper board which is wide enough (about 36 inches) for the side-by-side production of more.

and scoring the printed web into-blanks of the' desired configuration and removing waste mateextending transversely r'ial. In order that a web which'has been cut 4 and scored'in this manner-may be properly handled, it is the usual practice to provide small tabs between the blanks so' that the cut and scored material remains inweb form untilv separated, the separation taking place along lines extending transversely across the web so as to form multiple blanks in which two'or more individual blanks are still held together along their adjoining side edges by the tabs. It will be apparent that with the web cut and scored and the individual blanks held together merely by small tabs which are purposely very weak; it is somewhat difiicult to handle. In fact, the-difilculties are so great that there has beenno separating and delivering apparatus available which could handle such blanks at-thelr speed oi production which; in the apparatus referred to, is approxi- .mately six hundred-per minute. In terms of carton blanks of about 12 to 16 inches in length, this web speed would produce: about six-hundred multiple blanks per1minute, whereas the has been embodied showing its association withavailable delivery apparatus for material of this tus shown in Fig, 1 illustrating the sheet sep- I thirty to sixty multiple blanks per minute.

The apparatus which I have invented'operates in timed relation with the cutting and scoring -mechanism and comprises-a stripper for removing waste material, an element rotating at greaterspeedthan the cutting mechanism for separat ing the cut and scored blanks only along lines extending transversely across the web, a conveyor associated with the rotating element for receiving'the separated multiple blanks and ieeding 164-61 them at spaced intervals, a pair of alternately operating'rotatinggripper drums for properly aligning the separated multipleblanks and depositing themin uniform overlapping relation on an accumulator conveyor and an elevator delivery pile iorcontinuously receiving the accumulated blanks. The whole operation of the gripper drums and their associated accumulator conveyors is such that a vertically arranged pile may be formed adjacent one drum; and when com- .pleted theoperation of this drum stoppedand. delivery in a vertical pile adjacent the second tion of the first will be continued until all of the blanks arranged in uniform overlapping relation.

on the accumulator conveyor are finally delivered in the desired vertical 'pile. My improved apparatus also includes a sheet interceptor so that the attendant can remove a multiple blank from the conveyor, "for purposes of inspection, before it reaches the first gripper'drum. Means are also provided for'automatically stopping the acv and timed interval so asto maintain the uniform overlapping relation of the blanks on said accumulator conveyor. I

my invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which I v a Fig. -1 is a'diagrammatic side elevationalview of a part of an apparatus in whictrmy invention a rotary cutting apparatus and extending from 1 said cutter to the line 1 l--A; I Y

Fig. 1A isa'continuation of the apparatus.-

line A-.-A to 'the end shown in Fig. 1 from the of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a. somewhat schematic and enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the appara arating means a'ndthe variousdrives associated therewith;'

. 3 isa plan view oithe'apparat'us shown inFig.2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevatlonal view of .the sheet interceptorshown .in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is'a plan view, partly in section, of the apparatus-shown in fiig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a' transverse vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 66 of Fig. 4; V

cumulator conveyor at any time that a blank failsto be delivered thereto at its proper spaced The above and other features and objects of may be moved in spacedrelation. As indicated inFig. 1, this conveyor includes a sheet-inter- Figs. 9 and 9A are transverse vertical sectional views, largely diagrammatic and taken substantially along the lines 9-9 and 9A-9A, respectively, of Fig. 7, showing the controlling mechanism for interrupting the operation of the accumulator conveyor;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view, mainly in vertical section, showing the action of -the aligning pins and gripper mechanism for picking up a blank;

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view .on a somewhat enlarged scale of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, illustrating particularly the conveyor means provided between the two gripper drums; and

Fig. 12 is a plan view of the portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11. a

Referringnow to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 1A, it will be observed that a web W of paper boardwhich has been printed in one or more colors in a printing unit P. is fed to a rotary cutting apparatus A which includes an upper impression cylinder l5 and a lower aeoperating cutting cylinder l6 and may be of e general construction disclosed in the copending application of JosephA. Parks, Jr.,.and James W. Batchelder, Serial No. 331,109, filed April 23, 1940. This cutting apparatus is adapted to cut the web W into blanks of any desired cepting' mechanism X which may be actuated whenever desired to remove a blank from the conveyor for purposes of inspection. The blanks I carried by the conveyor C are moved to a first delivery apparatus D which'is arranged to align and grip the individual sheets or blanks and deposit them in uniform overlapping relation upon an accumulator conveyor M The conveyor M operates at a relatively slow speed so that the blanks deposited thereonare overlapped one upon another for delivery to and deposit upon an elevator-E where they are arranged and jogged into a uniform vertical pile.

When the pile of delivered blanks on the elevator E reaches a predetermined height, mecha-. nism associated with the delivery D operates automatically or manually to prevent further sheets from being deposited upon the slowly moving accumulator conveyor M and instead,

' feeds'them to a horizontally disposed conveyor configuration; and the blades in the cutting cylinder-are so arranged that small uncut portions or tabs hold the cartons in web form for stripping, separating and final delivery as multiple blanks consisting of at least-two blanks held together at their adjoining side edges by the tabs. Thus, the web W is fed from the cutter to a separating mechanism S which includes a stripper II, for removal of waste 'material whichdoes not form part of the finished blank, a pair of web feeding and holding rollers and the actual sepa rating rollers, all of which will be described more fully hereinafter. The feeding and holding rollers are constructed to move the web forward at the same speed at which it passes through the printing units and the cutting apparatus and periodically toexert a holding or. gripping action on the web. However, the separating rollers operate at a surface speed greater than that of the feeding and holding rollers and are constructed and mounted so that one of said separating rollers will contact the web at predetermined intervals (corresponding to the periodic holding or gripping of the web by the feeding and holding rollers) so as to cause the individual blanks to be separated one from another along a line extending transversely across the web.

Q Where the apparatus is of sufficient width to provide for more than oneblank, the adjacent blanks continue to he'held together by the uncut tab portions. In the present instance where the web W is wide enough for two carton blanks,

the multiple blanks B which are separated from the-web by the separator S are actually two individual blanks long and two-blanks wide and all the blanks secured together at their adjoining side edges by-the uncut tab portions.

As these multiple blanks are separated from the web, they are gripped by'a conveyor C which operates at'an increased speed so that the blanks C which'carries the sheets or blanks to the second delivery apparatus D which is substantially identical withthe delivery apparatus D in-that it includes a slow moving accumulator conveyor M for feeding the sheets in overlapped relation to an elevator 13: where they are arranged in a suitable vertically disposed pile. V

The various parts or elements of the appa ratus referred to in the preceding description will now be described in further detail, starting with the separating'mechanism S and following the cut and separated blanks through the remainder of the apparatus. For simplicity of terminology, I will refer' to rollers and cylinders throughout the description, but it will be apparent from the drawings and to those skilled in the art that these terms are intended to include a plurality of discs fixed upon a shaft inspaced relation.

As mentioned above, it is the function of the entire separating mechanism S to place the blanks in condition so that they may be subsequently delivered'at the desired rate .of speed. That is. if the configuration of the individualblanks is such that there is waste material in the web; such waste material is preferably re-' moved priorto the separation of the blanks. In the present instance, I have shown in Figs. .1 and 2 the rotary pin-stripper I! for eflecting the re- -moval of waste material. This mechanism comprises, anupper rotating impression cylinder I! having a shaft 20 and adapted to press the web W into operative contact with astrippin-g cylinder 2| mounted on a shaft 22 and having a plurality of angularly disposed pins 23 suitably 'ar The waste material removed from the web W by the pins 23- is withdrawn. from said pins in any conventional manner'and may be disposed of through a suction blower, a conveyor or the like.

Having the u'fa ste material removed from the web W, said web is nevertheless in continuous formand should be separated into the individual multiple blanks for their final delivery. This is teammate-d by an-s of the combined holding and'separating apparatus illustrated in Figs.

2 and 3.v As shown, the web- W is fed from the stripping mechanism H on a plurality of feeding tapes 25 to a; pair of cooperating holding and feeding rollers 26 and '21, the former of which is .rotatably mounted on a pair of arms 28 pivotally attached to the side frames 24,- 24 in a position above the web W, and the latter of which is positioned below the web and has its shaft 29 journaledin the side frames. The cooperating rollers 26 and 21 constitute a holding or gripping device for periodically gripping the web W to maintain it in proper position during the separation of the individual blanks therefrom; and

'for this purpose the lower roller 21 is provided with a raised gripping surface 38 which is adapted to press against the web onceduring each revolution. 7 The diameter and speed of rotation of the roller 21 are such that the holding of the web effected by 'contactof thegripping portion 38 therewith and the cooperative pressing of the roller 26on' the upper side of the web will occur at least once during the passage therebetween of a unit length of the web W which is equivalentto the length of each individual (as I distinguished from multiple) blank.

As shown'in Fig. 2, the feeding tapes 25 which support the web W during its passage from the stripper l1through the holding mechanism 26,

21 are of the endless. type and pass about the "stripping cylinder 2|, between the rollers 26, 21,

tact suitable cams 41 having high points .48 and mounted on a cam shaft 58 which is journaled in the side frames 24, 24.; .The cam shaft 58 is rotated at the desired speed by means of a gear 5| mounted thereon and meshing with a gear 52 provided on one end of a stub .shaft.53 which is connected for' rotation with adrive shaft, 54 by means of suitable miter gears 55. This shaft 54 and stub shaft 53 also effect rotation of the cylinder 35 by means of a gear 56 (Fig. 3) mounted on the stub shaft and cooperating with a gear 51 mountedon the cylinder shaft .36.

Due to the shape and surface length of the high point 48, as shown in Fig.2, it will be ap- -parent that during each revolution of the cam shaft 58, the levers 44, links 43 and supporting armsv 4| will causethe separating cylinder 35 to bemoved upwardly a distance suflicient to bring it out of contact with the web W. However,

during the remaining half of a revolution; .said

cylinder 35 will be lowered and the arrangement is such that the enlarged contact portion 40.wiil engage the web W. This engagement voccurs simultaneously with the gripping-and holding of the web W by the cooperating cylinders 26. and 21 and, due to thefact that the separating cylinder is rotated at a greater surface speed: than the cylinders -26 and 21, .a-'multiple blank B will be separated or. pulled from the momentarily held -web W and fed forward at the increased rate of speed. It will be understood that, where the multiple blank B is more than one individual blankin length, the spacing between and-.flthe timing of the separatingand holding rollers is particularly important because the separating action should take place between twov individual blanks so that proper control-may be.- effected.

Any intervening blank between the one being acted upon by the separating roller and the one being held by the gripping .roller will: cause difliculty. I

Asthe multiple blanks B are separatedv from the web W in the mannerdescribed. above, they intermediate supporting roller- 33 may bedriven by means of suitable cooperating gears (Fig;

3) associated with the shaft 2-2 and the shaft for the roller 33.

It will be noted for the tapes 25 is positioned forward of (or' to the left in Fig. 2) the holding rollers 26 and 21 so that the web W will'be supported while being held by the holding rollers 26 and 21 and is fed between an upper movable separating roller 35 having a shaft 36 and a lower cooperating roller 31 having a shaft 38 which is journaled in the side frames 24, 24. The separating cylinder 35, which is provided with an enlarged web or blank contacting portion 40 extending throughout half of its circumference, is arranged to be moved that the first guide roller 3| into and out of operative contact with the web W once during the passage beneath it of a length of web equivalent to the length of one of themultiple blanks. For this purpose, the,shaft 36 is rotatably mounted in a pair of supporting arms 4| one or both of which may have one end pivotally connected to the side frames 24, and

the other end pivotally connected to the upper end ofa link 43 and provided with an adjusting screw 42 which bears against the frame for limiting the downward movement of the arms. The

lower end of each of the links 43 is connected to the upper side ofthe outer end of a lever 44 pivoted at 45 to the side frames and having a cam roller 46 mounted on the lower side of the outer end thereof. Said rollers 46 are arranged to conare fed into the conveyor C which .is adapted to feed them to the first delivery apparatus-D As indicated in Fig. 1, the conveyor C includes a plurality of endless tapes 60 which provide a path for the sheets extending from the lower roller 31 of the separating mechanism to a forward roller 6| positioned adjacent thefirst de-.

livery apparatus D1. The tapes pass'over the roller 31, between an intermediate pair of feed rollers 62 and 63 having shafts 64 'and'65, respectively, over the forward roller 6| and around a plurality of lower guide rollers 66- and a slack take-up roll 61. The conveyor .0 is completed by an upper guide'member 68 and lower guide member 18 positioned between the separating rolls 35 and 31 and the feed rollers 62 and 63, and an upper guidememb'er- 1|" extendingfrem the feed rollers 62 and -63-to 'the first delivery apparatus D all of said guide members being attached in any conventional manner to" the side frames 24,24.

Drive shaft 54' is"provided'with a'miterf'ge'a'r 12 (Fig. 5). which cooperates witha: miter gear 13 mounted on a transverse shaft 14 and connected through gears 15 with the shaft 65 of the lower feed roller '63. Similarly, a miter gear 16 'mounted on the shaft 54 arid-cooperatihgbvith a miter gear 11 mounted on a stub shaft-which --pel ler roller 18, if desired. Propeller roller'18 and, therefore, the conveyor tapes and upper feed roller 62, together with additionalpropeller rollers that may be required depending upon the length of themultiple blanks,

shape so that when the cam as is rotated for heir e a revolution the crank arm 92 will be raised and provide a positive feed for the blanks and insure their passage to the delivery apparatus D The propeller rollers are preferably adjustable in the direction of travel of the blanks for'the accom- Y modation of blanks of different sizes.

All of the shafts for the various driven rollers of the conveyor may be joumaled in suitable bearings provided in the spaced side frames 24, 24. It will be apparent that the shaft 54 is-the same one which drives the rollers 85 and 81 of the separating mechanism at the increased speed, 68 may be moved at a corresponding-increased speed. Thus, the individual blanks B fed thereto in spaced relation by the separating mechanism will be maintained in their spaced relation for feeding into the first delivery apparatus D Oftentimes, in the feeding of the separated multiple blanks'B to the delivery apparatus D,

it is desired to inspect one of the finished blanks to determine whether or not the printing and cutting operations are beingproperly performed. Due to the fact that the blanks are delivered at a rather high rate of speed into the elevator-E it is not always convenient or possible to remove a blank forinspection purposes. I have devised the novel sheet intercepting mechanism X for removing single blanks from the conveyor 0 as they are being fed from the .separating. mechanism S to the delivery apparatus D Referring to Figs. 1, 4 and '5. it will be seen that the sheet intercepting mechanism X comprises a sheet or blank receiving box or member 80 which is pivotally mounted at 8I upon an extension 82 of the side frames. This sheet receiving member 80 is provided with an operating handle 83 so that'it may be. turned about its pivot to an upper position so as to permit any sheet or blank received therein to slide downwardly and be propelled by the roller 82 to a receiving table 84 which is mounted on legs 85 also attached to the side frames 24 or any suit able transverse supporting members, and from which the intercepted blank may be removedby the attendant for inspection.

- In order to remove 'one of the blanks B from the tapes of the conveyor C I have provided the sheet removing mechanism shown in Figs. 4,

5 and 6, which, upon being actuated, is adapted to remove a single sheet and then cease operating until again actuated by the attendant. This mechanism comprises a plurality of intercepting fingers 86 rotatably mounted upon'a shaft 81 fixedly mounted in the side frames 24. These finment of the actuating member II4 simulta-'.

gers extend from a point adjacent the opening which leads to the sheet receiving member 80 to a position between or adjacent the feed rollers 62 and 63 and are normally in the upper inoperative position shown in Fig. 4. A link 88 connected to a shaft or connecting rod 89 passing through-the fingers 86 extends downwardly adjacent one of the side frames 24 and is pivotally connected at its lower end. to a crank arm 80 keyed on a shaft 9| which extends through the side frame 24 and has a second crank arm 92 mounted thereon outand cause it to rotate until the pin I08 contacting 4 side the frame and provided with a cam roller 93 at the outer end thereof. The cam roller 93 is adapted to ride in a cam groove 94 of an internal cam 95 rotatably mounted on a shaft 96 which supports the lowermost guide roller 86 for the' conveyor tapes 60. It will be noted in Flg.'4 that the cam groove is substantially elliptical in i then lowered back to the position shown in Fig. 4. This action will cause the fingers 86 to be moved downwardly into the path of the sheets moving the outer end thereof, The rotating coupling member 98 is adapted to be operatively connected to the cam member 95 for'half a revolution by means of a coupling key I-00 which is 'slidably mounted .in a suitable groove or keyway I02 provided in the cam 95 outside of the cam groove 94.-

A spring I04 mounted in the keyway I02 normally urges the coupling key I00 outwardly and into coupling engagement with a suitable shoulder I06 provided on the end of the 'coupling member 98. However, said coupling key I00 is provided with an outwardly projecting pin I08 which is adapted to be engaged by a cam surface I I0 provided on inwardly projecting shoulders II2 formed at each endyof a slidable rectangularshapedactuating. member II4. Engagement'of the pin I08 by the cam surface IIO holds the coupling key I00 inan inoperative position so that the cam 95 remains stationary.

Actuating member II 4 is slidably-mounted on the inner face ofa housing IIIi attached to the side frame 24 and enclosing the cam 95', coupling member ;88 and their associated parts. For this purpose eIongate'd slots I I8 are provided in the actuating member I I4 and receive guide members I 20 attached to suitable shoulders provided on'the inside surface of the housing H6 and arranged so that said actuating member may be .moved either to the right or to the left with a sliding movement by means of a suitable-eccentric connection or crank pin I22. The eccentric crank pin I22'is mounted on the inner end of a stub shaft I-24 which extends through the outer wall of the housing IIS and has a crank arm I26 mounted on the outer end thereof. The construction and arrangement of the parts-are such that by moving th'ecrank-arm I26 in a clockwise direction through an arc' of about'90" (Fig. 4), the

actuating member II 4 willbe moved to the left a suflicient distance to cause the cam surface I I 0 to release the pin I08 and permit the coupling key- I00 .to move downwardly into the path.of the rotating coupling member 98. Such moveneously moves the opposite shoulder II2 intoa position where its cam surface II 0 will engagerevolution. Thus, the released coupling key-I00 will be contacted by the rotating coupling member 88 and effect an engagement of the cam 95 the other cam surface I I0 moves the coupling key I00 to its inoperative position. In order to prevent the cam 95 from continuing rotation after its releasefrom the coupling member 98, said cam member may be provided with a' suitable extemal brake I28, if desired,

' From the foregoing description, it will be understood that each time the attendant wishes to inspect one of the blanks'B moving along theconveyor C he'merely has to move the crank handle I26 either to the right or to the left deside thereof and is moved the gripper drum I30, said their open position. i the cams I45 are such th-at each row of gripper will normally be held in open nonpending upon the position in which it was left after its last actuation. This effects the above described movement of'the actuating member. II4 was to cause the cam 95 to rotate half of a revolution. As mentioned above, this causes the intercepting fingers 86 tobe moved downwardly into the path of the blanks tation of the shaft 96 through the gears 01 is B. The speed of rosuch that the intercepting, fingers 36 will remain in their downward sheet intercepting position only long enough to intercept one blank B and will then be moved back to their inoperative position. The intercepted blank will be fed into the receiving member 80 from removed to the receiving receiving member 80 on. means'of the handle 83.

Referring again to Fig.

which it may be 1, it willbe observed that the individual blanks B carried by the con-, veyor C are fed by the conveyor tapes 60 between p r r the cooperating surfaces of a driven I30 having a shaft I3I and a feed roller I32 having a shaft I33 for subsequent release upon the accumulating conveyor M and delivery to the vertically disposed elevator stack E As best shown'in Figs. '7 and 8, the gripper drum I30 is provided with a large driving gear I34 on one less than the increased surface speed of the conveyor C by means of a cooperating gear I35 ounted on a stub shaft I36 :and driven from e main drive shaft 54 by means-of cooperating miter gears .I'3'I. It

is desirable tohave the drum rotate at a surface speed less tapes 60 so that the leading edge of each blank B will be fed into contact with a plurality of stopping and aligning pins v the feed roller I32, such pins insuring a straightening of the blank and proper positioning thereof for gripping as described below. The roller I32 has its shaft joumaled arms I36 attached to the indicated in Fig. 8, may be provided with a driving gear I40 which also meshes with the gripper drum gear I34. 1

Depending upon the size and surface speed of drum is provided with in suitable supporting table 84 by.raising theits',pivotalmounting by at a speed somewhat I than the conveyor I39 before reaching edge of prefer to have the cam I45 shaped so as to allow an easy and slow gripping action in the first few inches of travel beyond the leading edge of the termined position above the accumulator conthe stripper fingers the cam I45 will roller I44 and thus "veyor M (actually adjacent 20I described hereinafter),

rather abrutly engage the cause the gripper finger to ping" engagement with. the

the roller I32. when blank reaches a predebe moved out of gripblank and thereby release the leadingedge'thereofL As this occurs,

the'rearward edge of the blank may be continued to be held in cooperative engagement with the ipperdrum by means of a roller I46 which is suitablypositioned in proper position at the side of the drum. For accumul of blanks, the roller I46.

each blank may be in suitable slots I41 ating different sizes for holding the rearward adfrustably mounted provided in the side .frames or may be mounted on movable arms for that purpose. The actual stripping of the blanks from described hereinafter.

Accumulator conveyor veyor tapes I48, I50, I5I, about suitable guide rollers l I51 and may be maintained dition by means of a M herein, consists of four cooperating sets of conand I52 which pass the drum and feeding of them from the accumulator conveyor M into the elevator E will be m the form shown 53, I54, I55, I56, and in proper taut con plurality of slack take-up rolls I58. In the drawings, it will-be noted that the rollers I53, I54, I55, I56, and I5f are so arranged thatithe cooperating conveyor tapes form a substantially arcuate from a position beneath th and directly adjacent tion at the side of said site the holding roller the elevator path which extends ev gripper drum I30 E to a posidrum substantially oppo- I46 for the rearward edge of each blank, and with said gripper drum I30 side frames 24 and, as

a plurality of rows of gripper fingers I4I mounted upon rotatable shafts I42 (Fig. 10) which are disposed in suitable grooves provided in the drum adjacent the aligning pins I36, and may be jour'- naled in the side walls of the drum. Each shaft I42 is provided with a suitable crank arm I43 carrying a cam roller I44 which cooperates with suitable cams I45 carried by one of the side. D frames 24 asshown attached between the gripper drum and the crank in Fig. 8. Aspring I43A arm's I43 normally holds the gripper fingers in gripping engagement, whereas the. cams act to move the crank arms against the tension of the springs so as to hold the The placing and shape of conveyor tapes I48, I50,

accumulate in overlapped relation and be fed to' gripper. fingers I4! in.

periodically each time form a somewhat wedge-shaped blank receiving.

space I60 into which the blanks are received in overlapping relation.

- The desired overlappingrelation of the blanks I is caused by the fact that the accumulator conveyor M is operating at. a surface speed than shown in Figs. '7 and is mounted on a shaft the gripper drum I30.

8, the lowermost roller- I51 IBI which is provided with considerably slower .As

a sprocket I62 on one end thereof outside/of the side frame 24. A driving chain I63 opemtively connects the sprocket I62 with a sprocket I64 mounted on a shaft,I65

desired reduced speedthrough I66 which in turn of the gripper drum which is rotated at the a chain of gears are driven from the shaft I32- I30. Thus, as the individual blanks B are moved by the gripper drum and released by the gripper edge holding roller I46,

the elevator stacker E In the event that a conveyor C prior to being drum, it will be apparent lapping of the blanks on fingers I and therear they will drop upon the and I52 and there blank is removed from the I fed to the gripp r that the orderly overthe accumulator conveyor will be interrupted. To prevent any such/ interruption, I have provided means for stopp the operation of the that accumulator conveyor 1 a blank fails to be delivered to the gripper drum I30. In Figs. '7, Band '9, it willbe'notedthat th chain of gears I66 for driving the accumulator conveyor from' the main shaft of the gripper drum includes an upper'gear ed on a shaft I68. This sh I6I rotatably mountaft I68 has a clutch I 18 mounted thereon and comprising a station I12 keyed upon said shaft I12 are normally in of the cam I18 fixed thereon.

ary driven plate "I attached to the gear I61 and a slidably mounted cooperating driving plate I 68 and having a collar The clutch plates HI and operative driving engagement andthrough the gears I66 and I61 cause the accumulator conveyonM to be continuously slow speed until the clutch I18 attached thereto.

As best shown in Figs. 7, 9' and 9A, a double cam I18 is mounted onthe shaft I88 and includes a side face cam I which is adapted to permit a separation of the clutch plates, so as to the movement of the accumulator conveyor; and it also includes a cam I18 for eifecting a periodic raising and lowering of a feeler roller I11 mounted at the top of the gripper drum on an arm I18 pivotally connected to avshaft I 80- which extends betweenthe side frames. The raising and lowering of the roller I11 is effected through'a link I 8I which is pivotally connected to the central portion of a crank arm I82 attached to a stub shaft I89, -the outer end of said arm being connected by a link I83 with a cam roller arm I84 which is normally pressed into operative contact with the cam I15 by means of a spring I85. The shape and speed of rotation are such that the feeler roller I11 will be raised and lowered once each time a blank 13 is fed to the gripper cylinder. Should one of the b nks be said feeler roller I11 will drop below the cylinder surface into suitable grooves I86 provided in the surface of the This additional downward movement of the feeler roller I 11 causes a corresponding further movement of the crank arm' stub shaft I89 which is rotatably mounted in the side frame 28 andhas a stop or holding arm I81 Normally, holding member I81 engages a crank arm I88 mounted on a shaft I 90 attached to the outside of the side frame 28 with suitable brackets I 8|. As best shown in Fig. 9, the lower end of shaft I90 has an actuating crank arm I92 mounted thereon and provided at its outer end with a roller I93 for engaging the cam I15 and a yoke I9 -i having operative engagement with the movable clutch plate collar 113. When the upper arm I 88' is in its normal position as held by the holding member I 31, it holds the clutch I10 in proper engagement through theyoke let for transmitting motion to the accumulator conwhen the feeler roller l1?! continues to rotate said plate will reciprocate back and forth but will not effect complete engagement with the stationary plate until the holding member it? a ain moves in o en a ement with the arm 38 upon raising of feeler ripper drum I80.

as to move the clutch into engaging position and that the holding member I81 merely acts to hold it in such position so that motion may be trans-- I mitted to the accumulator conveyor M In this manner, whenever removed from the conveyor C by I I82 and its associated .this position is a short ablank fails to be delivered to the gripp r drum, the feeler roller I11 and its associated chain of mechanism causes a disengagement of the clutch I18 and thereby stops the feeding movement of the conveyor belts of conveyor M However, as soon to the gripper drum, the

the accumulator conveyor M to start operation and continue its feeding of the overlapp g blanks B into the elevator conveyor E As mentioned above, blanks B is held upon the drum by the gripper fingers III until'it reaches a position adjacent the elevator E Actually, distance to the, leftof a movable guide roller 288 (Fig.7) coopeiatively mounted above the roller I81, and the removal of each blank is effected by means of a plurality of resilient stripper fingers 2III which are formed on and curve upwardly from a guide plate 282. The construction and arrangement of the cam I 45 are such that the roller I" associated with the ripper fingers I 4| will contact said cam im mediately before the leading edge of the blank reaches the stripper fingers 2". Upon being released by the gripper fingers, each blank is carried downwardly by gravity and forwardly by theaction of roller I86 so that it may be guided by the stripper fingers m of the guide plate 202 between the rollers 288 and I51 for feeding into the elevator E Releasing of the rearward edge of the blank and gripping by the rollers 288 and I81 take place substantially simultaneously. The movable mounting of the roller 208 permits said roller to move upwardly to allow for increased thickness as the overlapped blanks continue to be fed thereto. It will be understood, however, that it may be preferable, where the thickness of the overlapped blanks is extreme, to have the shaft I6I of roller I51 mounted in pivotally movable arms so that it may move downwardly instead of the roller 208; and in such event, the chain drive for sprocket I62 will be made from an additional sprocket centered at the pivot point.

To insure the proper feeding of the blanks into the elevator E, I have provided an upwardly spring-pressed roller I98 mounted on arms I99 attached to and extending to the right of the shaft I 6|. This roller holds the blanks against the guide plate 282 and is of small diameter so as to reduce the distance of unsupported travel of each blank before 'it is dropped upon a tray 203 of the elevator E Sail roller I98 is also positioned above and beyond a forward jogging plate 285 and thus prevents the rearward edge of each blank from contacting the plate 204 before it is dropped upon the pile on the tray 203. Movement of the jogger plate 205 causes the blanks to be pushed against a rearward jogging and stop plate 205 so that they may be jogged into a. uniform pile on the tray 2113.

At this point,-it may-be noted that the distance which each blank projects beyond another blank in its overlapping relation therewith is such that they may be properly jogged into a uniform pile without causing any interference or contact at each of the multiple surface of. the gripper the edges or corners where waste material has been removed.

' be understood It is for this reason that it is particularly important the accumulator conveyor M at a blank fails to be delivered thereto at'the proper spaced interval..

when the stack of blanks B which is continuously formed in the elevator E reaches the desired predetermined height, the attendant may stop the operation. of, the delivery apparatus D to stop the. operation of any time thatsheet interceptor v tercepting position, the end of .cam !45 Will be moved upwardly about pivot 235 so as to hold the gripper fingers open untiltheypass well -beand cause-the blanks B to be fed intothe'conveyor C D; As shown in Fig. 11, this accomplished in the construction shown'bymeans of a pinrality of interceptor fingers 220. mounted on a shaft 22! positioned between the roller I32 and and passed to the delivery 'apparatus.

a first roller 222 01? the conveyor C which ex tends in a-- substantially horizontal path to a roller 223 disposed adjacent. the second delivery apparatus D The interceptor fingers 220 are somewhat similar, both in their construction and mode of operation, to the interceptor fingers 86 which were described above in-connection with the sheet interceptor X.

Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, it will be seen that the shaft 22! is provided with a downwardly extending crank am 224 which is connected by a link 225 to the central portion of one arm 226 of a bell crank lever which is pivoted at 221 and has a cam roller 228 on-the end of the otherarm thereof. Cam roller 228 is adapted to ride in an internal groove 230 of a cam 23!, which, with its associated operating mechanism, is substantially identical, except for the shape of the in" ternal "groove, 230, withithe cam 96 and half 'guiderollers 248 and a yond the roller the interceptor fingers 220.

As shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the conveyor C comprises two lined sets of conveyor 'tapes- 24! and 242, respectively. The first set of tapes 24! extends from the roller 222-to a roller 243 which I .is positioned substantially midway between the two'delivery apparatus D 24! are-then guided over suitable guide rollers 244 -and'a slack-take-up roller 245 and back to the first roller 222. Theconveyor tapes 242 'extend from a roller 246 positioned immediately adjacent the roller 243 and having a spring-pressed pressure roller 24] in operative contact therewith, to the roller 223. Said tapes then pass around slack take-up roller 250 p and back to the roller -'246-. If desired, suitable guides 25! and 252 may be provided above-the upper operatlve'reaches of the conveyor tapes 24! and-242, respectively. as. shown in Figs..1 ,-1A and 11. I

Both of the sets of conveyor tapes 24! and 242 maybe driven directly from the drive shaft 54 which, due to thefact that the conveyors C and C are in different planeamay be constructed in revolution clutch for' actuating the interceptor fingers 86. That is, said cam has associated therewith a suitable clutch or actuating mechanism whichjnay be operated by movement of-a Y handle 232 so as to cause the cam 23! to be moved through half a revolution-or 180. However, the shape of the internal groove 230 isv such that when this occurs, the interceptor fingers 226 will be moved downwardly through the crank am 224, link 225,. and bellcrank lever 221, into the grooves I66 so that the blanks B-passing beneath the roller I32 will not be gripped by the gripper fingers l4! and will be fed into the conveyor C at least two sections which are operatively 'connected by means of suitable gears 253; Rotative movement is transmitted from the h re 54 through cooperating miter gears v254 to a stub shaft 255 which is J'ournaled in theside frames stub shaft 255 .and the shafts of the conveyor tape .rollers 24. Gears 256 mounted on the 243 and 246 cause said rollers to be rotated at-the. desired surface speed. 7

It.w-ill be apparent that, by means of the con-. veyor gripper drum I36 to a gripper drum 260 having a a shaft 26! Journaled in the side frames 24, 24

and said interceptor fingers 220 will stay in this position until the handle 232' is moved back to its initial position to cause the cam 23! again to be moved through half a revolution and thus move the interceptor fingers 220 upwardly-so that the blanks may be gripped by the gripper fingers l4! and delivered to the elevator E In thepresent instance, I have shown a man ual control for the cam 23!.

that, if desired, a suitable switch 233 (Fig. 1) could be provided beneath the elevator E so that when it moved downwardly to I a predetermined position, a circuit would. be

However, it

closed and cause energization of a solenoid 234 for effecting the desired movement of the handle 232 automatically.

When the interceptor fingers 220 move into sheet-intercepting position, it is desirable to .pre-

vent the gripper fingers !4! from closing to gripping position so that the blanks will surely be fed into the conveyor C. In Fig. 11, it 'will'be noted that the upper left-hand end of-cam I46 is pivoted at 235 and provided near the end thereof with a pin or roller 236 which is adapted to ride in a cam groove 23! formed in the upper'end of bell crank lever arm 226. Thus', when the bell crank lever is moved by cam 23!) to cause and being identical in both construction and operation with the gripper drum I30 described above so as to feed the blanks'B into the second accumulator conveyor M :and thence to the elevator E which also may be identical with those'described above. 1 Any failure to deliver the blanks at their regular spaced intervals to the gripper drum 260 is detected by a feeler roller 262 which is identical with .the feeler roller lll described above and causes a stopping. of. the op-' eration of the accumulator conveyor M .untll allthel blank'passes beneath said feeler roller when the predetermined height, the collecting action ,at the delivery apparatus D ,will again be started by movement of the handle/232 associated with the cam 23! causing the interceptor fingers 220 to be moved to inoperative position, asd'escribed above. This-action may also be easily arranged to take place automatically by means ofa suitable switch and i-solenoid similar to the switch} 232 and solenoid 233. I

It will be understood that when the delivery D is again put into operation, all of theblanks then on the conveyor C and accumulator conveyorlvp should be fed into the elevator E so that they'may be removed by the attendant. However, as the last blank in the conveyor C passes beneaththe feeler roller 262, said roller would ordinarily-drop 4 gripper druminto the grooves provided. in the 26!! .and cause the accumulator conveyor M to fingers 226 be moved to'in- !32 and the operative 'ends ofand D Said tapes c= described above,the blanks B willbe I fed from the roller I32 positioned above the i blanks in the elevator E reach a foregoing description.

fating speeds ofthe ratus which are all driven in synchronism at stop. In order to allow the conveyor'M to continue its operation until 7 fed into theelevator E, I have provided a downwardly extending finger or arm 263 on the shaft associated with the rollers: 262 or otherwise operati ely connected to the arms supporting said rollers so that upon being moved to the left or inall blanks thereon are -said blanks, ripping them and them to a position for release; means for releasing said blanks and removing them from said gripper drum; conveyor means operating at a slower surface speed than said gripper drum for receiving the released and removed blanks inpredetermined overlapping relation and feeding them in such overlapped rela' ion; and means for receiving the overlapped blanks and arranging them on a lever arm 265 which is pivoted at 266 to the side frame 24 and has an operating handle I 261 pivotally connected to its other end. A downward pulling of the operating handle 26'! will thus move the feeler rollers 262 to an upper inoperative position so that the accumulator conveyor M will continue operation. If desired, this action may also be arranged to take place automatically by a solenoid 266which is provided in a suitable circuit with the switch associated with the elevator E so that it will be energized at the same time that the handle 232- is moved when restarting operation of the gripper drum I30.

It is believed that the operation of the entire delivery apparatus will be understood from the desirable to give one specific example of the opervarious parts of the appapredetermined speed ratios. For. example, ferring to- Figs; 1 and 1A, if the web W moves through the printing apparatus P and the rotary cutter A at a speed of 600 feet per minute, the

drive for all parts of the separating mechanism 8 up to the holding rollers 26 and 21 will also produce a surface speed of 600 feet per minute.

However, for a more com-' plete understanding of the invention, itmay be However, the drive for the separating roller and the conveyor 0 is such that these parts will move at an increased surface speed of about 800 feet per minute. To insure the proper alignment surface speed of about 700 feet per minute. This ratio of eight to seven for the conveyor C and gripper drum stant. To prevent damage to the blanks that are fed to the conveyor C, the first half thereof including the conveyor tapes 2 will be operated at the same speed as the this instance 700 feet per minute. However, the latter half of the conveyor 0 including the'conveyor tapes 242 operates at the same surface speed as the conveyor 0 (800 feet per minute) and the gripperdrum 26D-operates at the same surface speed as the gripper drum I30 (700 feet per minute) so that a speed ratio of eight to ripper drum I30, in-

I36 surface speeds remains conseven for the conveyor tapes 242 and gripper drum 260 is maintained.

While I have described one embodiment of the features of my invention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the construction, and certain features may be employed without others, without departing from my in- I vention or or sacrificing any of its advantages.

'tion to a conveyor;

in a substantially vertically aligned pile.

2. In an apparatus for separating and delivering multiple blanks of more than one individual blank in length from a web which has been cut into blanks of predetermined configuration which are held together by means of small uncut tabs, means for periodically holding the web at a point behind a transverse line of separation; means operating holding means for pulling said web on the forward side of .said transverse line of separation after a predefiermined number of longitudinally aligned individual blanks have passed beyond such means so as to separate multiple blanks from said web;

vertical pile.

3. A method of operating on a traveling web of material which comprises cu'ting said web into blanks of predetermined configuration which are held together by means of small uncut tabs; periodically holding said web behind a transverse line of separation after'a plurality of the longitudinally aligned individual blanks have passedbeyond the point where the periodic holding takes place; forward side of said transverse line of separation at the time of holding so as to separate a multiple blank from the web.

4. A method of operating on a traveling web of maferlalwhich comprises cutting said web into blanks of predetermined configuration which are held together by means of small uncut tabs; periodically holding said webbehind a transverse line of separation after a plurality of the longitudinally-aligned individual blanks have passed beyond the point where the periodic holding takes place; periodically pulling said web on the forward side of said transverse line of separation at the time of holding so as to separate multiple blanks from the web; feeding the separated blanks in predetermined spaced reladepositing the blanks upon the conveyor inuniform overlapping relation; and feeding; the overlapped blanks to and arranging them in a uniform vertical pile upon a delivery tray.

5. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut and separated from a traveling web, first and second spaced elevator trays; means associated with each of said trays for feeding blanks thereto so that they may be jogged into a uniform vertical pile thereon; first and second gripper drums disposed adjacent said trays and its associated feeding means and adapted to grip blanks fed thereto at predetermined spaced intervals and deposit them in overlapping relation upon said feeding means; first conveyor means for feeding blanks in spaced relation to said first gripper drum; second conveyor means for feeding blanks from v a position adjacent said first gripper drum to said second gripper drum; and means for preventing blanks from being gripped by said first gripper drum'and leading them to said second conveyor means. r

in timed relation with such and means for delivering the separated multiple blanks into a substantially and pulling said web on the said gripper drum until the leading edge thereof 6. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut and separated from a traveling web, first and second spaced delivery. trays; means associated with each of said trays for feeding blanks thereto so that they maybe jogged into a uniform vertical pile thereon; first and second gripper drums disposed adjacent'each of said traysand its associated feeding means and adapted to grip blanks .fed thereto at predetermined spaced intervals and deposit them in overlapping relation uponQ'said-feeding means;

first conveyor means forfeeding blanks inspaced relation to said first gripper drum at a greater surface speed than that of said first gripper drumrand second conveyor means for feeding blanks from a positionadjacent said first gripper drum to said second gripper drum, said secnd conveyor means including a first section adjacent said first gripper drum and operating at a surface speed substantially the same as that of said first gripper drum and a second section adjacent said second gripper drum and operating at a surface speed substantially the same as that of said first conveyor means. 7'. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut and separated from a traveling web, means for feeding said blanks forward in spaced relation at a predetermined speed; a rotating gripper drum for aligning eachblank as it is fed thereto by said feeding means, gripping saidblank and carrying it to a position for release; means for releasing each blank-and removing it from said gripper drum; conveyor means operating at a slower surface speed than said gripper drum for receiving the released and removed blanks inpredetermined overlapping relation and feedng .them in such overlapping relation; and means for receiving the overlapping blanks'and arranging them in a substan tially vertically aligned pile.

a. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been 'cut and separated from a travelin said conveyo'rmeans' each time that a blank fails to be fed .to said gripper 9. In an'apparatus for delivering blanks which -have been cut and separated from a traveling web, means for feeding the blanks forward in spaced relation at apredetermined surface speed;

a gripper drum disposed adjacent said feeding said gripper means; means for rotating drum at a predetermined surface speed less than the speed of said feeding means;

conveyor means disposed adjacent said gripper drum and operating at a slower surface speed than that of said gripper drum; means associated with saidgripper drum for gripping the leading edge of each blank as it is fed thereto by said feeding means; means for releasing said gripping means when the leading edge of the blank'is in a predetermined position above said conveyor means; and means for holding the rearward edge of each blank against the surface of is released bY'Sflid gripping means; 7

10. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut and separated from a traveling web, means for feeding the blanks forward in spaced relation at a predetermined surface speed; a gripper drum disposed adjacent said' feeding means; means for rotating said gripper drum at a predetermined surface speed less than the speed of said feeding means; conveyor means disposed adjacent said gripper drum and operating at ,a' slower surface speed than that of said gripper drum; means associated with said gripper drum for aligning the leading edge ofsaid blank as it is fed thereto; means associated with said gripper drum for gripping the leading edge of each-blank after it has been aligned thereon; means for releasing said gripping means, when theleading edge of the blank is in a predetermined position above said conveyor means; and

means for holding the rearward edge of each blank against the surface of said gripperdrum until the leading edge thereof is released by said grippingmeans.

11. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut 'and'separated from a traveling web; means for feeding the-blanks forward in spaced relation at a-.pr'edeter'mined surface speed; a gripper "drum disposed adiacent said feeding means; means for rotating said gripper drum at'a predetermined surface speed less than the speed of said feeding means; conveyor means disposed adjacent said gripper drum and operating at a slower surface speed than that of said gripper drum; means associated with said gripper 'drum for gripping the leading edge of each blank as it is 'fed thereto by said feeding means; means for releasing said gripping means when the lead;

. ing edge of the blank is in a predetermined posilation; and means for stopping the operation of tion above said conveyor means; and means for stopping the operation of said conveyor means each time that a blank fails to be fed tosaid gripper-drum.- p

12'. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut and-separated from a traveling web, means for feeding the blanks forward in spaced relation at a predetermined surface speed; a gripper drum disposed adjacent said feeding means; means for rotating said gripper drum at a predetermined surface speed less than the speed of said feeding means; conveyor means disposed adjacent said gripper drum and operating at aslower surface speed than that of said gripper drum, means associated with said gripper drum for. gripping the leading edge ofeach blank as it is fed thereto by said feeding means; means for releasing said gripping means when the leading'edge of the blank is in a predeterminedposition above said conveyor means; and means for.

stopping the operation of said conveyor means each'time'that a blank failsto be delivered to said gripper drum and starting the operationiof said conveyor means again when the next blank is fed to said gripper drum.

13. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut and separated from a traveling web, means for feeding said blanks forward in spaced relation'at a predetermined speed; a I rotating gripper drum for gripping each blank as it is fed thereto by said feeding means and releasing each blank at a predetermined point in the rotation of said gripper drum; conveyor means for receiving the released blanks in'predetermined overlapping relation and feeding them in such overlapped relation; means for operating said conveyor means at a. predetermined surface speed which is slower than the surface speed of said gripper drum; and means for stopping the operation of said conveyor means each time that a blank fails to be fed to said gripper drum, said last mentioned means comprising means for detecting the absence of each blank that fails to be fed to said gripper drum atits regular spaced interval, and means actuated by said detecting means for disconnecting the operating means for the conveyor each time that the detecting means detects the absence of a blank.

14. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut and separated from a traveling web, means for feeding said blanks for ward in spaced relation at a predetermined speed; a rotating gripper drum for gripping each blank as it is fed thereto by said feeding means and releasing each blank at a predetermined point in the rotation of said gripper drum; conveyor means for receiving the released blanks in predetermined overlapping relation and feeding them in such overlapped relation; means for operating said conveyor mean at a predetermined surface speed which is slower than the surface speed of said gripper drum; and means for stopping the operation of said conveyor means each time that a blank fails to be fed to said gripper drum, said last mentioned means comprising a feeler roller associated with the ipper drum and adapted tomove to an operating position whenever a blank fails to be passed beneath it, and means actuated by said feeler roller for disconnecting the driving means for the conveyor.

15. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut and Separated from a traveiing web, means for feeding said blanks forward in spaced relation at a predetermined speed; a rotating ri per drum for gripping each blank a it is fed thereto and releasing it at a predetermined point in the rotation of said gripper drum; conveyor means operating at a slower surface speed than said gripper drum for receiving the released blanks in predetermined overlapping relation; means for receiving the overlapped blanks and arranging them in a substantially \grtically aligned pile; and means for guiding the .leading edges of the blanks as they are released from the gripper drum and feeding them toward \such receiving and arranging means. a

16. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut and separated from a traveling web, means for feeding said blanks forward in spaced relation at a predetermined speed; a rotating gripper drum for gripping each blank as it is fed thereto and releasing it at a predetermined point in the rotation of said gripper drum; conveyor mean operating at a slower surface speed than said gripper drum for receiving the released blanks in predetermined overlapping relation; means for receiving the overlapped blanks and arranging them in a substantially vertically aligned pile; and means for guiding the leading edges of the blanks as they are released from the gripper drum and feeding them toward such receiving and arranging means, said last mentioned means including means for reducing theunsupported length of travel of each blank salt is fedinto said receiving and arranging means.

17. In an apparatus for delivering blanks which have been cut and separated from a traveling web, a first feeding means for moving said blanks forward in spaced relation at a predetermined speed; a rotating gripper drum for gripping each blank a it is fed thereto and releasing it after said gripper drum rotates to a predetermined position; conveyor means opera ing at a slower surface speed than said gripper drum for receiving the released blanks in predetermined overlapping relation and feeding them insuoh overlapping relation; means for removing individual blanks from said first feeding means; and mean for stopping the operation of said conveyor means each time that an individual blank is removed from said feeding means.

18. In an apparatus for feeding blanks including a plurality of endless tapes for carrying the blanks through a predetermined path, means for removing a blank from the tapes, comprising a plurality of intercepter fingers, and means for moving said intercepter fingers into the path of the blanks and automatically moving said fingers out of the path of the blanks after a predetermined time interval.

19. Apparatus for rotating a member movably mounted'on a rotating shaft through one half a revolution of said shaft, comprising a coupling member fixed on said shaft adjacent the member to be rotated; connecting means carried by one of said members; and means for holding and actuating said connecting means, said holding and actuating means being movable to two positions in each of which the connecting means will be held in inoperative position, the movement from one position to another actuating the connecting means so as to cause said two members to be interconnected for one half a revolution of said shaft. v 20. A method of continuously operating on a traveling web of material, which comprises cutting said web into sheets, feeding said sheets forward at a predetermined speed, aligning each sheet at a predetermined point in its travel, pping each aligned sheet and carrying it to a position for release, releasing the gripped sheets and depositing them upon a conveyor in uniform overlapping relation, and feeding the overlapped sheets to and arranging them in a uniform vertical pile. I

21. In an apparatus for delivering sheets which have been cut from a traveling web, means for feeding said sheets forward at a predetermined speed; a rotating gripper drum adjacent said feeding means; means associated with said --gripper drum for aligning the leading edge of each sheet as it is fed thereto and gripping said edge after alignment so that it may be carried to a position for release; means for releasing each sheet and removing it from said gripper drum; conveyor means for receiving the released and removed sheets in predetermined overlapping relation and feeding them in such overlapping relation; and means for receiving the overlapped sheets and arranging them in a substantially vertically aligned pile.

22. In an apparatus for delivering sheets which have been cut from a traveling web, means for feeding the sheets forward inspaced relation at a predetermined speed; a gripper drum disposed adjacent said feeding means; means for rotating said gripper drum at a predetermined surface speed less than the speed of said feeding means; conveyor mans disposed adjacent said speed than that of said gripper drum; means associated with said gripper drum for aligning the leading edge of each sheet as it is fed thereto; means associated with said gripper drum for gripping the leading edge of each sheet after it has been aligned thereon; means for releasing said gripping means when the leading edge of 'the sheet is in a predetermined position above erati've position in which the member to'be'rotated will be interconnected with said coupling member; and means for holding and actuating -said connecting means, suchholding and actuating means being movable between two positions in each of which said connecting means will be held in inoperative position, the movement said conveyor means so that the sheets will be deposited in overlapping relation thereon; and means for receiving the overlapped sheets and arranging them in a substantially verticalLY aligned pile. A

23. In an apparatus for feeding sheets or blanks including a plurality of, endless tapes for carrying the sheets through a predetermined path, means for removing a sheet from the tapes,

comprising feeding means cooperating with said one side of said feeding means, a sheet-receiving tray positioned on the other side of said feedin from one of said two positions to the other actuating said connecting means so as to'cause said two members to be interconnected for one half a revolution of said shaft.

28. Apparatus for rotating a member movably mounted on a rotating shaft through a predetermined angle of revolution of said shaft, comprising a coupling member fixed on said shaft adjacent the member to be rotated; connecting means carried by one of said members and movable to an operative position in which said members will be interconnected for rotation in unison; resilient means for continuously. urging said connecting means toward said operative position; means for holding said connecting means in inoperative position; and means for releasing such holding means so as to permit said connecting means to interconnect said members.

29. Apparatus for rotating a membermovably .mounted on a rotating shaft through a predetermined angleof revolution of said shaft, comprising a coupling member fixed on said shaft admeans, a plurality of intercepter fingers, means for moving said intercepter fingers into the path of the sheets so that said feeding means will feed a sheet into said receiving member, and means for moving said sheet-receiving member so that having cam means mountedthereon in position the sheets may be transferred to said sheetreceiving tray.

25. In an apparatus for feeding sheets or blanks including a-plurality of endless tapes for carrying the sheets through a predetermined path, means for removing a sheet from thetapes;

comprising feeding means cooperating with said tapes, 9, sheet-receiving member positioned on one side of said feeding means, a sheet-receiving tray positioned on the other side of said feeding means, a plurality of intercepter. fingers, means for moving said intercepter fingers into the path of the sheets so that said feeding means will feed a sheet into said receiving member, and means for moving said sheet-receiving member to a position in which a received sheet will slide by gravity to said feeding means and there be moved to said sheet-receiving tray..

26. Apparatus for rotating a member movably mounted on a rotating shaft through one half a.

revolution of said shaft, comprising a coupling.

member fixed on said shaft adjacent the member to be rotated; connect-ing means carried by one of said members and movable to an operative connecting position; resilient means for urging said connecting means toward its operative coniii jacent the member to be rotated; connecting m ans carried by the member to be rotated and movable to an operative position in which the member to be rotated will be interconnected with. said coupling member; resilient means for con: tinuously urging said connecting means toward said operative position; and actuating means for said connecting means, said actuating means said operative position; and actuating means for.

said connecting means, said actuating means being movable between first and second operating positions and having first and second-cam means mounted thereon and adapted and positioned to hold said connecting means in inoperative position whenthe actuating means is in said first andv second operating positions, respectively, movement of said actuating means from said first operating position to said second operating position acting to release said first cam means from said connecting means and move said second cam means into the path of movement of said connecting position; and means for holding said connecting means in inoperative position, such holding means being movable .to a position in which necting means.

31. Apparatus for rotating a member movably mounted on a rotating shaft through a predesaid connecting means will be released and permit the two members to be interconnected for one half a revolution of said shaft.

27. Apparatus for rotating a member movably mounted on a rotating shaft through one half a revolution of said shaft, comprising a coupling member fixed on said shaft adjacent the member to be rotated; connecting means carried by the member to be rotated and movable to an opterminedangle of revolution of said shaft, comprising a coupling member fixed on said shaft,

adjacent the member to be rotated; connecting means carried by the member to be rotated and movable to an operative position in which the member to be rotated will be interconnected with said coupling member; resilient means for continuously urging said connecting means toward said operative position; a housing for the aforementioned means; actuating means ,slidably mounted on said housing and movable between first and second operating positions; a firstcam means mounted adjacent one end of said actuat-\ ing means and adapted to hold said connecting means in inoperative position when said actuating means is in said first position; and a secondcam means mounted adjacent the other end of said actuating means and adapted to hold said connecting means in inoperative position when said actuating means is in said second position, movement of said actuating. means from said first position to said second position releasing said first cam means from said connecting means and moving said second cam means into the path of said connecting means.

32. Apparatus for rotating a member movably mounted on a rotating shaft through a predetermined angle of revolution of said shaft, comprising a coupling member fixed on said shaft adjacent the member to be rotated; connecting means carried by the member to be rotated and movable to an operative position in which the member to be rotated will be interconnected with said coupling member; resilient means for continuously urging said connecting means toward said operative position; a housing for the aforeactuatin'g me -slidably firstvand second operating positions; a first cam means mounted adjacent one end of said actuat- Y ing means and adapted to hold said connecting means in inoperative position when said actuating means is in said first position; a second cam means mounted adjacent the other end of said actuating means and adapted to hold said connecting means in inoperative position when said actuating means is in said second position, movement of said actuating means from said first position to said second position releasing said first 

